Rajkot, Oct 18: Internet services were banned and section 144 has been imposed in Rajkot where Team India played its third One Day International (ODI) match against South Africa on Sunday, Oct 18.

Rajkot Police imposed section 144 in the city as Hardik Patel had vowed to hold a protest inside the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) stadium over his demand for reservations for the Patels, the community he belongs to.

Hardik Patel also had asserted that he would not allow MS Dhoni and his team members to enter the stadium if he is barred from entering the stadium.

However, Hardik Patel failed as Team India entered the stadium and played the crucial match against South Africa.

The 22-year-old leader of the Patel community also informed that he has managed a ticket of the match. He was quoted as saying, "My match ticket has been purchased by Rajkot unit of PAAS and I am going to attend the match."

However, police ensured people that the ODI match will not be hampered by any protest. A senior officer was quoted as saying, "Over two thousand policemen, three companies of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), one company of Rapid Action Force (RAF), and seven teams of quick response cells (QRC) and five Superintendents of Police (SPs) have been deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the match."